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USDA official outlines part‑time and shared staffing options for Clatsop County wildlife conflicts
Summary
USDA Wildlife Services told Clatsop County commissioners it can provide flexible, county‑funded wildlife conflict response — from spot support to a full‑time specialist — and suggested shared staffing with neighboring counties; commissioners asked staff to return with a service‑level and funding plan.
USDA Wildlife Services told the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on May 27 that the agency can tailor predator‑control and wildlife‑conflict services to local needs, from limited seasonal support to a full‑time county specialist.
"Our agency mission is to provide federal leadership and expertise to resolve wildlife conflicts," said Matthew Alex, identifying himself as a supervisory wildlife biologist with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services. Alex said a full‑time county specialist runs about $100,000 a year, with a half‑time share about $50,000, a quarter‑time share about $25,000 and a 10% share roughly $10,000. Those figures, he said, include salary, benefits, vehicle lease and supplies.
Commissioners described a mix of rural and near‑urban problems — lambs and young cattle killed by suspected cougar predation in rural districts, and increasing reports of coyotes and occasional bears near populated areas. "It might be better a truer reading if we asked for data and got a baseline," Commissioner Thompson said, urging a survey to capture unreported incidents.
Commissioner Wakua and others flagged coverage challenges across Clatsop County’s large, mostly forested territory and asked whether shared staffing with neighboring counties could work. Alex said part‑time arrangements that pool funding across two or three counties are common and can grow into a full‑time position if demand increases. He also noted local response benefits from having staff within a short drive time rather than two hours away.
County staff and several commissioners indicated support for a phased approach: begin with a part‑time/shared arrangement, coordinate with nearby counties (including Columbia County), and return to the board with a recommended service level and funding plan. Alex said USDA has experience with a broad range of assignments — from airport bird‑strike work to trapping public‑safety bears — and would adapt services to the county’s priorities.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: further coordination among county staff, USDA and neighboring counties to develop a proposed program and budget for the board to consider.
Ending: Board members thanked Alex for the overview and directed staff to continue discussions; no formal contract or vote was taken at the May 27 meeting.
